Watercraft stabilizing member with foam core and non-compressive bladder

Abstract

Outboard stabilizing members ( 110, 210, 310, 410 ) include a foam core ( 120, 220, 320, 420 ) and a bladder ( 134, 234, 334, 434 ) configured to be inflated to a design pressure and configured to cover at least a portion of the associated foam core. The bladders are configured to be non-compressive to the foam core. A plurality of joining members ( 135, 235, 335, 435 ) connect an inner wall of the bladder with an outer wall of the bladder, such that when the bladder is inflated to the design pressure the outer wall and joining members prevent the inner wall from compressing the foam core. The joining members are preferably inelastic, and may be one-dimensional linear members such as strings or rods, two-dimensional panels, or other webbing.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. An outboard stabilizing member for a watercraft comprising:
 an elongate foam core having an outer surface; and 
 a first inflatable bladder comprising an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion, and a plurality of connecting members located at spaced locations along the inner and outer wall portions that connect the inner wall portion to the outer wall portion, wherein the inner wall portion is configured to overlie at least a portion of the outer surface of the foam core; 
 wherein when the inflatable bladder is inflated to a design pressure between 1 psig and 40 psig, the plurality of connecting members connecting the inner wall portion to the outer wall portion prevent the inner wall portion from applying a compressive force to the foam core, and further wherein the plurality of inelastic connecting members comprise a plurality of panels. 
 
     
     
       2. The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 , further comprising a sheath that is configured to cover the inflatable bladder, and to removably attach the stabilizing member to the watercraft. 
     
     
       3. The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of panels define a plurality of channels in the bladder that are in fluid communication. 
     
     
       4. The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inelastic members comprise webbing extending between the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion. 
     
     
       5. The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inelastic connecting members further comprise a plurality of strings or rods. 
     
     
       6. The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of strings or rods are evenly spaced throughout the bladder. 
     
     
       7. The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of strings or rods have a uniform length, such that the plurality of strings or rods maintain a constant spacing between the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion. 
     
     
       8. The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 , wherein the foam core comprises a plurality of elongate foam sub-members that extend from a first end of the foam core to a second end of the foam core. 
     
     
       9. The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the plurality of foam sub-members is wedge-shaped. 
     
     
       10. The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 , wherein the foam core comprises an elongate foam core having a D-shaped cross section. 
     
     
       11. An outboard stabilizing member for a watercraft comprising:
 an elongate foam core having an outer surface; and 
 a first inflatable bladder comprising an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion, and a plurality of connecting members located at spaced locations along the inner and outer wall portions that connect the inner wall portion to the outer wall portion, wherein the inner wall portion is configured to overlie at least a portion of the outer surface of the foam core; 
 wherein when the inflatable bladder is inflated to a design pressure between 1 psig and 40 psig, the plurality of connecting members connecting the inner wall portion to the outer wall portion prevent the inner wall portion from applying compressive force to the foam core; and 
 further comprising a second inflatable bladder comprising an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion, and a plurality of connecting members that connect the inner wall portion to the outer wall portion and wherein the second inflatable bladder is configured to be inflated to the design pressure without applying a compressive force to the foam core. 
 
     
     
       12. The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second inflatable bladders are configured to be positioned on opposite sides of the foam core. 
     
     
       13. The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder is configured to encircle the foam core. 
     
     
       14. A watercraft having a starboard stabilizing member and a port stabilizing member, wherein the port and starboard stabilizing members comprise the outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       15. A high-performance watercraft comprising:
 a planing hull having a port side sheet and a starboard side sheet; 
 at least one motor attached to the hull; 
 a port stabilizing member attached to an outboard side of the port side sheet; 
 a starboard stabilizing member attached to an outboard side of the starboard side sheet; 
 wherein each of the port and starboard stabilizing members comprise: 
 an elongate foam core having an outer surface; and 
 a first inflatable bladder comprising an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion, and a plurality of connecting members located at spaced locations along the inner and outer wall portions that connect the inner wall portion to the outer wall portion, wherein the plurality of inelastic connecting members comprise a plurality of panels, and wherein the inner wall portion is configured to overlie at least a portion of the outer surface of the foam core; and 
 wherein when the inflatable bladder is inflated to a design pressure between 1 psig and 40 psig, the plurality of connecting members connecting the inner wall portion to the outer wall portion prevent the inner wall portion from producing a significant compressive force to the foam core. 
 
     
     
       16. The high-performance watercraft of  claim 15 , wherein each of the port stabilizing member and the starboard stabilizing member further comprises a sheath that is configured to cover the inflatable bladder, and is further configured to removably attach the stabilizing member to the watercraft. 
     
     
       17. The high-performance watercraft of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of connecting members comprise a plurality of strings or rods.